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book reviews |
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Modern essayist, Brett Chrest introduces us to his book, “My Vacuum Sucks”: After I resigned from my office zombie job after 15 years, I emerged to find so much has changed. For starters, 15 years ago, the hack joke was "Why are there so many cable channels?" Now, it is "Why are there so many social media/digital TV streams?" Personal health is another one. Time was, taking down a full-rack of baby back ribs was a badge of honor. Last time I ordered them, a few weeks ago, it became quite the cause célèbre. Several patrons even started a pool to Uber me to a morgue. Some things never change. Hiking with the family, sports, getting old, etc. Whether new or old, there is always something funny about what's going on. If you want to read stories about all the humor in the world that you can only see when you take a step back, this book is for you. Topics include:
 I enjoyed this book a lot. I laughed and chuckled nearly nonstop from cover to cover. Brett is quite a funny guy! His humor, rather self-deprecating, is a lot like many other guys. I would feel right at home sitting with him in the garage sipping an adult beverage. We would be sharing stories of home improvement disasters and wildlife encounters of the third kind. There would be clinking bottles and many high-fives. Get this book, I will meet you in Brett's garage. 4.9 stars for “My Vacuum Sucks”.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/My-Vacuum-Sucks-Humorous-Stay-at-Home-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-my-vacuum-sucks Brett Chrest and his wife, Leah Chrest (author of At the Edge of Jordan, reviewed elsewhere on this website) published their books within 1 week of each other and about a week before Brett's unexpected passing in late August of 2021. In Brett's stead, Leah, his wife and the editor of My Vacuum Sucks will be fielding the interview questions. You can visit the author’s website and his wife’s Twitter and Instagram: http://www.brettchrest.com https://twitter.com/ChristianMedit2 https://www.instagram.com/christianmedit2 Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
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Debut author, Tammy Horvath introduces us to “Gone in an Instant”: How Do You Forgive the One Person in Your Life Impossible to Forgive? On August 2, 2017, a knock on Tammy Horvath’s front door shattered her world. “Your son has been murdered,” a police officer said in a quiet voice. As she struggled through the horror of the following months, another Voice spoke. “Forgiveness is a choice and you must forgive him, Tammy.” But How? What Would You Do? How Would You Find the Strength to Forgive the Killer and Have Faith After Loss? How Do You Deal With Grief and Get Help to Go On Living After Losing Someone You Love? In this deeply moving and ultimately triumphant Christian book about child loss, Tammy shares the story of how God revealed Himself in astounding ways and set her free in a manner she could never have imagined. Tammy got through the pain and grief of losing her only child to murder, and so can you. Gone in an Instant is for you, if
Can you believe that? It’s true! You can absolutely be set free. With insight, humor, and deep authenticity, Tammy will take you on a journey that will utterly change your life forever. You’ll find the self-help you need and the grief steps after child loss. Tammy’s heart breaks for you if you are experiencing any of these emotions. Please come alongside her and learn from her. You are loved, and you have a purpose.  How is it possible to forgive the person who murdered your son? I cannot think of many more dreadful situations to exact vengeance than making the person who killed your child pay. The author clearly describes this problem because she lived through it. She faced her son's death and came through it with the support of many loving people and our heavenly Father. She could have made it without the former but not the latter. We have all lost loved ones at one time or another but not often to personal violence. Many of us have lost our loved ones to a disease or an unrecoverable accident, we had time to say our goodbyes, which is very comforting for us who are left behind. I loved this book, it encouraged my faith and brought me to tears more than once. There are many lessons to be gained, not the least of which is that we are not islands in a stream. Our lives and our choices are intertwined with others. If you want to know more then read the book. I give "Gone in an Instant" 5 stars!  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Gone-Instant-Losing-Loving-killer https://www.goodreads.com/-gone-in-an-instant https://www.barnesandnoble.com/gone-in-an-instant-tammy-horvath You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/thorvathauthor http://www.tammyhorvath.com https://www.instagram.com/tammyhorvathauthor https://www.facebook.com/Tammy-Horvath-Author https://www.pinterest.com/TammyHorvathAuthor https://www.youtube.com/channel/Tammy Horvath https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-horvath Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume author Jay Veloso Batista introduces us to the third volume of his paranormal historical fiction in The Forerunner Series: “On Viking Seas”: From Cornish pit mines to Jorvik back alleys, from the Mercian Court to beyond the North Sea, the Agneson clan continues their adventures across Midgard and the 9 realms: Scheming aldermen, duplicitous monks, slave drivers, dark elves, trolls, ghosts, shapeshifting witches, the legendary Norse Wild Hunt, and… a dragon! With the fall of the Danish army at the battle of Ethandun, historical events scatter the Agneson family: Cub is enslaved in the Devonshire tin mines while Sorven stalks retribution in Jorvik; Kara is unwillingly propelled toward a convenient Saxon marriage while Karl and his crew are castaway on a mythic floating island. Separated and marooned, each is forced to tackle their challenges alone while the forerunner Thorfinn faces supernatural revenge, a battle to lift a Jarl’s curse and the release of his Jotenhiem wyrm in Midgard! Can Cub escape his overseers in the tin pits of Devon? Can Kara evade her Saxon uncle’s plans for her marriage? Will Sorven succeed in his bloody revenge? Can Finn save a Jarl’s daughter and break a mysterious curse? Can the forerunner find and help his scattered family overcome their trials? And what can Finn do with… a pet dragon?!? Based on actual historical events and authentic legends, this epic fantasy follows the paths of the sons and daughters of Agne, Son of Ironfist in the Viking Era circa the year 880. Don’t miss this grand panoramic tale!  Not only is the series getting better with each volume the characters are growing and evolving, I think Kara is my favorite character. There are dark moments that add some great depth to the story, especially for Cub, the oldest son, I think he gets the worst of it. There are lighthearted moments also, the humor isn't gone. The settings and action are to be commended also; they add so much to the plot lines. The setup for the next volume promises to be very exciting! If you like historical fiction stories with an exciting, paranormal angle that fits perfectly in the story age, then you will love this book and the series, indeed. 4.8 stars from me.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Seas-Forerunner-Book-ebook/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/-on-viking-seas My review of the first book, “Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/thorfinn-and-the-witchs-curse My review of the second book, “The Vardoger Boy”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-vardoger-boy My review of the fourth book, "Kara, Shieldmaiden of Eire": www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kara-shieldmaiden-of-eire You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/JayVBatista https://www.jayvelosobatista.com http://www.amazon.com/author/jayvelosobatista http://www.facebook.com/jayvelosobatista http://www.instagram.com/jayvelosobatista https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jay-veloso-batista https://www.goodreads.com/JayVelosoBatista Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Melissa Rea introduces us to her steamy, historical-fiction tale about love and betrayal in old Venice, “Maestro”: Gabriella stands on a gallows one day before her 19th birthday in 1718. She tells her story to a young blacksmith, a surly milkmaid, and a mute dwarf who is much more than the muckraker he seems. The pampered daughter of a count, Gabriella's entire existence has been her music, until one afternoon's sensual exploration leads to the shame of two noble families and her exile to a convent school for orphan girls, the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice, Italy. Antonio Vivaldi, the school's Maestro of the Concerto, teaches the students and composes inspired by their talent and beauty. She tells of her friend, Veronica, a sublimely talented violinist whose cold eyes hide tragic secrets and of whose murder she now stands convicted. With tears in her eyes, she speaks of her love, Raphael, the handsome overseer whom she had planned to marry. The story of her desperate attempt to learn the truth of a terrible curse that took her own child's life, and save Veronica from a dark affair, holds the crowd's rapt attention. Now she must escape with the help of her friends, from the Ospedale, and perhaps those in the crowd assembled to watch her hang.  I enjoyed the story so much. It is rich, like a wonderful dessert that requires time for each bite. This is an exciting and seductive story. The premise draws you in with a shot of sympathy for the woman who was facing being hanged that very day. But the executioner was absent. She faces a hostile crowd and begins to relate the story of her life that led to the charge of murder of which she proclaims her innocence. This story is so compelling, that it's hard to put it down. Descriptions are opulent without being overbearing, much of the dialogue is quite enticing and the action is plentiful. I found the balance of this three-legged stool to be very even and the story was very enjoyable for it. The author does a marvelous job of incorporating all of the senses. I will say no more to avoid spoilers. "Maestro" is a sensual feast and gets 4.8 stars from me.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Maestro-Melissa-Rea-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-maestro https://www.barnesandnoble.com/maestro-melissa-rea https://www.smashwords.com/maestro You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/author_rea http://www.melissareaauthor.com Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Multi-volume author Jay Veloso Batista introduces us to the second volume of his paranormal historical fiction in The Forerunner Series: “The Vardoger Boy”: A 2020 WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS RED RIBBON WINNER! Vikings war with the last Saxon Kingdom, blood feuds stalk the family, the werebear takes revenge and our forerunner hero must face trolls, a kelp man and his nuggles, and a dark elf… The epic adventures of the Agneson Clan continue! The year is 878… Danish forces assemble for war on Wessex and the loyal Agneson Clan heeds the call to join the Great Viking Horde, but while honorable men gather in the midlands, a blood feud draws mercenaries to their undefended homestead for murderous revenge. Sailing his Viking crew to fulfil their oath, Karl harbors suspicions over strange occurrences that bedevil his nephew Thorfinn, while far to the north their sworn enemy the werebear and his dark elf master strike back… And the young forerunner Thorfinn learns the Nine Realms are full of surprising hidden folk, but to earn his place aboard the Viking’s ship he must accept a mast troll’s quest…. Will the family escape the despicable vendetta? Can Thorfinn face the evils prowling the bottom of the Humber Estuary? Does Cub battle to victory against King Alfred’s men? How can Karl and his Vikings find and defeat a mysterious lair of were-beasts? The epic saga of Thorfinn the forerunner and his clan in Danelaw England continues…. Don’t miss The Vardoger Boy, second book of The Forerunner Series by Jay Veloso Batista, historical fantasy and supernatural suspense! if you love the work of Bernard Cornwall, Susanna Clarke or Elizabeth May, then this will have you turning the pages!  I love this book; I love the series! The author has crafted a wonderful continuation of the first book. He has some wonderful dialogue; it rings so true to each character's station in life. The action is glorious at times and easy to read. I am enjoying learning about the Viking myths and lore regarding their gods and supernatural beings. Jay is so good at weaving in lots of details about everyday life for people of this age along with the paranormal elements which they easily accepted as a part of their lives. Following multiple plot threads, the story of the Agneson family continues. I can hardly wait to read the next book! 4.9 stars!  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Vardoger-Boy-Forerunner-Book-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/book/-the-vardoger-boy My review of the first book, "Thorfinn and the Witch's Curse": www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/thorfinn-and-the-witchs-curse My review of the third book, “On Viking Seas”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/on-viking-seas My review of the fourth book, "Kara, Shieldmaiden of Eire": http://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kara-shieldmaiden-of-eire You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/JayVBatista https://www.jayvelosobatista.com http://www.amazon.com/author/jayvelosobatista http://www.facebook.com/jayvelosobatista http://www.instagram.com/jayvelosobatista https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jay-veloso-batista https://www.goodreads.com/JayVelosoBatista Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Mercedes Rochelle introduces us to the fourth volume in “The Plantagenet Legacy” series, “The Accursed King”: What happens when a king loses his prowess? The day Henry IV could finally declare he had vanquished his enemies, he threw it all away with an infamous deed. No English king had executed an archbishop before. And divine judgment was quick to follow. Many thought he was struck with leprosy—God's greatest punishment for sinners. From that point on, Henry's health was cursed and he fought doggedly on as his body continued to betray him—reducing this once great warrior to an invalid. Fortunately for England, his heir was ready and eager to take over. But Henry wasn't willing to relinquish what he had worked so hard to preserve. No one was going to take away his royal prerogative—not even Prince Hal. But Henry didn't count on Hal's dauntless nature, which threatened to tear the royal family apart.  I am a big fan of the author. Her books about all of these kings are so good! I confess that I zipped through this stuff in history class and was so happy when it was over. Mercedes has turned that all around for me. I really enjoy historical fiction and stories from history. She takes the old and withered bones of history and brings them to life in a compelling and dramatic way! Her descriptions of traveling through towns on the way to battle or negotiation are first rate. She accounts for weather, geography and other impediments to human activities whether benign or nefarious. Some of the historical characters are well known, others not nearly as much. She gives them all their proper due and allows them to be real humans, flaws and all. While the action sequences are quite good, the dialogue is what really locks it in for me. Whether you like history or a political thriller this book is for you!  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Accursed-King-Plantagenet-Legacy-Book-ebook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-accursed-king-mercedes-rochelle https://www.goodreads.com/-the-accursed-king You can follow the author: http://www.twitter.com/authorrochelle http://www.mercedesrochelle.com http://www.mercedesrochelle.net I have reviewed other books by this author: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-usurper-king https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/a-king-under-siege-book-one-of-the-plantagenet-legacy-by-mercedes-rochelle https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-kings-retribution https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/heir-to-a-prophecy-by-mercedes-rochelle-narrated-by-kevin-e-green https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/godwine-kingmaker-part-one-of-the-last-great-saxon-earls-by-mercedes-rochelle https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-sons-of-godwine https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/fatal-rivalry-by-mercedes-rochelle Tags: history, biography, fiction, medieval, European, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, historical, biographical, Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Multi-volume, historical fantasy fiction author, Jay Veloso Batista introduces us to the first volume of the Forerunner Series, “Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse”: THE 2020 WISHING SHELF BRONZE MEDAL WINNER! Viking legends, unforgettable characters and authentic history combine in an exciting series starter! Vikings and Saxons, ghostly curses, witches and soothsayers, dangerous were-creatures and a young boy who must find his courage! Danelaw life is good! Practicing martial skills, grumbling over chores, listening to scary stories and shadowing his brothers everywhere, Finn is a normal boy of ten in the Viking Kingdoms of ninth century England. A bit timid, his father plots his apprenticeship while the family prepares a grand wedding. Off to the North, his uncle sails home after years of exile. And unbeknownst to all, the ghost of an ancient mage sits sentinel over his clan freehold. But when a witch’s curse comes alive, a mishap turns young Finn into a vardoger, haunted by his own forerunner ghost. Suddenly thrust into a new realm beyond Midgard, Finn struggles to be a boy by day and a ghost at night. His own clan fears him, he overhears murder plots, he learns the truth of giants and the hidden folk, and the witch still hunts revenge… Will Finn find the courage to defeat his enemies, save his uncle, and accept his new half-ghostly existence? Don’t miss Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse, first book of The Forerunner Series by Jay Veloso Batista.  This is such a good story. I was quite captivated by Finn and his Viking brothers and sisters. The author has such a good eye for detail that brings the story and the characters to life without burying me in extraneous information. I love the dialogue and the plotting was very exciting. Finn comes across as an ordinary, ninth-century, Viking boy looking for adventure. He finds far more than he expected when he sneaks off with a big brother and a friend to investigate a local legend about a witch. If you like a touch of the supernatural and are interested in legends of old you are going to love this story!  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Thorfinn-Witchs-Curse-Forerunner-Saga-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-thorfinn-and-the-witch-s-curse https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thorfinn-and-the-witchs-curse-jay-veloso-batista My review of the second book, "The Vardoger Boy": www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-vardoger-boy My review of the third book, “On Viking Seas”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/on-viking-seas My review of the fourth book, "Kara, Shieldmaiden of Eire": www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kara-shieldmaiden-of-eire You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/JayVBatista https://www.jayvelosobatista.com http://www.amazon.com/author/jayvelosobatista http://www.facebook.com/jayvelosobatista http://www.instagram.com/jayvelosobatista https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jay-veloso-batista https://www.goodreads.com/JayVelosoBatista Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction A sequel to The Black Douglas TrilogyMulti-volume, multi-genre author introduces us to her latest work of historical fiction, “The Douglas Bastard” is the sequel to the Black Douglas trilogy: King Robert the Bruce and the Black Douglas are dead — and Scots once more must fight for their freedom. Young Archibald, the Black Douglas's bastard son, returns from exile to a Scotland ravaged by war. With treachery and danger on every side, he must learn to sleep with a claymore in his hand and one eye open because even his closest friend may betray him... Content warning: violence against a child  This is a marvelous book! I love historical fiction it’s my third favorite genre. Books centered on the United Kingdom are particularly attractive to me because much of my heritage comes from there. The author has taken a minor figure and walked with him through the major events he would have faced and been involved in. She did a great job! I love how she wove so many minor details of daily life into the story. I felt I was right there with Archibald. His struggles with being the bastard son of a noble included repeated bullying by his peers. He held his own with even odds. The fights, jousts and war scenes were brutal like daily life for most people. The dialogue came across quite real. This is a great read and I award 4.9 stars.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Douglas-Bastard-Sequel-Black-Trilogy-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-the-douglas-bastard https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-douglas-bastard You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/TomlinJeanne http://www.jrtomlin.com http://jeannetomlin.blogspot.com I have reviewed another book by the author: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-wayward-alliance Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction At the Edge of the Jordan: What Waits for Us After This Life and Why It Matters by Leah Chrest5/28/2022 Debut author, Leah Chrest introduces us to her fiction story about the afterlife: What waits for us when we die? How can the truth of heaven revolutionize our faith? In this unique work, Leah Chrest, a lifelong Christian, draws from both hundreds of near-death experiences and the Bible to create a captivating tale of faith and personal transformation. Based on the NDEs of Nancy Rynes, Rev. Howard Storm, Dr. Eben Alexander, Mary C. Neal, George Ritchie, and dozens more, Aislinn's story will answer your heart's deepest questions and inspire you to live a more peaceful, inspired, faith-filled life. Journey with Aislinn, a young woman who is no stranger to grief, having lost her sister and grandparents in the span of just a few years. On her honeymoon, Aislinn drowns in a freak surfing accident. Her soul leaves her body and enters heaven, where she meets with Jesus and has the innermost questions of her soul answered:
If you have always wondered about near-death experiences, this well-researched narrative account will warm your heart and inspire you to live with deeper purpose and meaning.  A fascinating story with tantalizing glimpses of what heaven and hell might be like. It’s an emotional rollercoaster at times with the death of loved ones and suffering being part of the story. Those darker moments are balanced with healings and connecting again with family members. I found the footnotes to be interesting and they add a welcome depth to the story. I enjoyed them as an information junkie. However, you can enjoy the story quite well without reading any of the footnotes. The story easily stands on its own. I give “At the Edge of the Jordan” 4.8 stars.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/At-Edge-Jordan-Waits-Matters-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-at-the-edge-of-the-jordan You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/ChristianMedit2 http://thecontemplativechristian.com https://www.instagram.com/christianmedit2/ https://www.youtube.com/c/christianmeditation https://www.facebook.com/christianmedit2 Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Jacqueline Mead introduces us to her children’s book, “The Tales of Mr. Mouse and Friends”: Join Mr. Mouse as he tends to his award-winning garden, makes friendships, meets Hilda his future wife, all the while drinking lots of tea and eating lots of cake. Mr. Mouse is a popular character whose door is always open, who is on hand to help anyone who needs assistance, who will rally around a worthwhile cause and who is highly thought of throughout the woodland community. Each chapter is a short story of its own and set in a season, there are twelve chapters following Mr. Mouse over three years. Read about the woodlands during a harsh winter when the woodlands are covered in six-foot snow drifts, during spring when the season is changing from winter, summer when Mr. Mouse’s award-winning gardens are at their best and autumn when the trees and plants are losing their leaves. Mr. Mouse with a house on the River Louse will become a favourite bedtime story for your children.  I enjoyed this book a lot. My two granddaughters did also. The casual rhyming was clever and the character names were pleasing. I loved the illustrations also, they are soft, the pastels are easy on the eyes. Each chapter has a full-page illustration. They look nice even on my Kindle. Each chapter is its own story. That makes for a pleasantly short read for bedtime, leaving time to answer questions a child might have. The overarching theme of the book is that family and friends are important and worthy of attention. Another wonderful theme is caring for your surroundings and environment. You are going to enjoy this peaceful visit to the river and woods where Mr. Mouse and his friends live.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Mr-Mouse-Friends-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-the-tales-of-mr-mouse-and-friends https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tales-of-mr-mouse-and-friends-jacqueline-mead You can follow the author: @Jackiem158 http://www.jacquelinemead.com Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction A Battered Mother’s Message to Her Son |
Who am I?An avid reader, typobuster, and the Hyper-Speller. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. Archives
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